ABC-X Model and The Family Stress

ABC-X Model and The Family Stone

The Family Stone Throughout history families have dealt with stress and crisis. The effect of stress on the family system was first studied during the Great Depression of the 1930s. The studies involved how individuals and their families coped with economic loss and other upheavals of the Great Depression, noting that some families adapted more successfully than others.

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Reuben Hill was the first to conceptualize family stress theory when he developed the ABC-X model of family stress. Hill’s model helps to explain why families “sink” or fall into crisis when dealing with stress while other families “swim” or cope (Boss, 2002).

The ABC-X model consists of three variables A, B, and C which interacts to bring about a product, X (Boss, 2002). The ‘A’ variable represents the stressor event. A stressor event is an event that has the potential to cause change in the family because it disturbs the status quo (Boss, 2012). Any change in the family system can cause stress, including change in the family’s values, roles, functions and boundaries (Boss, 2002).

The ‘B’ variable represents the family resources or strengths. Family resources are assets that help the family prevent a crisis from occurring. The ‘C’ variable represents the meaning attached to the event by the family, both individually and collectively.

These meanings are interpretations and views that the family has collectively formed while interacting with one another (Boss, 2002). The family’s perception of an event seems to be the most powerful variable in explaining the outcome (Boss, 2002).

Finally, the ‘X’ variable represents the degree of stress. ‘X’ is the continuous variable that reflects the sum of the family’s disorganization and chaos. The film, “The Family Stone” is a prime example of family stress and how it reflects the ABC-X model.

The Family Stone 3 Identifying the Stressor (A of the Model) I will start by identifying the stressor event in the film (A of the model). The stressor (event) is Sybil, the mother, is dying of breast cancer. There are several types of stressors surrounding Sybil’s illness both internal and external. Internal events start from someone inside the family (Boss, 2002).

External events begin from someone or something outside the family. Stressor Types The first type of stressor is an external event called, catastrophic , situational , and unexpected. This type of event is unexpected and not foreseen (Boss, 2012). Sybil didn’t foresee her breast cancer returning. She is a breast cancer survivor and the last thing she expected was to be stricken with the disease again. Howe…………………